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Adna artist works to master ancient art of making baskets

Tanned fish skin, antique keys, dried vines and other items have found their way into the baskets of a skilled rural Lewis County fiber artist who continues to experiment and study her craft. … more

By Lyn Craig / For The Chronicle | 1/28/26

Get Up and Glow beauty studio to celebrate growth with ribbon-cutting and Galentine’s Night in Chehalis

Get Up and Glow, a beauty studio owned by mother-daughter duo Stefany Henderson and Trinity Underhill, will celebrate its growing business with a Galentine’s Night and ribbon-cutting ceremony … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/28/26

Death notices: Jan. 28, 2026

• DAVID ROY STELLWAGEN, 82, of Centralia, died Jan. 22. Arrangements are under the care of Sticklin-Brown Funeral Chapel. • FLOYD C. UNDERWOOD, 95, Centralia, died Jan. 21 at Providence … more

1/28/26

Sirens: Police use Flock cameras, K9 to nab suspect; teen steals Co2 canisters, hides them under viaduct; drunken e-bike rider crashes

CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT Arrests • Casey M. Specht, 46, Centralia, was arrested near the 1100 block of South Gold Street at about 9:09 p.m. Jan. 26 and booked into the Lewis County … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/28/26

Washington state Sen. John Braun smiles after speaking at a fundraiser to kick-off his congressional campaign at Jester Auto Museum on Thursday, Sept. 18.

Braun reports raising more than $800,000 in first four months of congressional campaign

State Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, and his congressional campaign team announced this week that it has raised more than $800,000 in the first four months of the campaign, pointing to the fundraising … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/28/26

Democrat Third Congressional District candidate Brent Hennrich coming to Centralia

A Vancouver-based Democrat who is a candidate for Washington’s Third Congressional District seat will host his first event in Centralia this weekend for a small group. Brent Hennrich and his … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/28/26

Letters to the editor can be submitted to letters@chronline.com.

Letter to the editor: Instead of building a dam, use money to elevate homes and businesses

Here in Independence, on the banks of the beautiful Chehalis River, 2025 was full of returning salmon, wind, high waters and all the beauty of a landscape that both gives and takes away. While we … more

1/28/26

Letter to the editor: Painful past points to reasons to pass Onalaska school levy

I am writing in support of the Onalaska School District recent levy. I speak from personal experience when I say I know what it feels like to live through a levy failure. In 2005, I was an … more

1/28/26

Two dinosaur statues recently installed at the United Learning Center in Centralia are pictured on Thursday, Dec. 18.

Centralia’s United Learning Center preparing for spring opening

The United Learning Center (ULC), located on the corner of Maple Street and North Pearl Street in downtown Centralia, is nearing completion, and its opening is within sight. The … more

By Dylan Reubenking / dylanr@chronline.com | 1/28/26

Todd O’Mealy carries debris in the front yard of a home off of Slalom Way that was affected in Packwood on Thursday, Dec. 11.

Lewis County ends free flood debris disposal

Lewis County facilities will no longer accept flood debris at discounted rates as an initial drive to take in damaged materials and debris after the late fall flood in December comes to an end. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/28/26

Lewis County unemployment rate rises to 6.6% in December

Unemployment throughout Washington state rose to 4.7% in December, according to the Washington state Employment Security Department (ESD). The agency reported Lewis County had a 6.6% … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/28/26

Fairgoers walk along the Midway at the Southwest Washington Fair on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025.

State funds will support another small improvement to the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds

The Friendlyville area of the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds will get a facelift ahead of the Southwest Washington Fair after the approval of a $250,000 grant from the Washington state Department … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 1/28/26

Cars drive along Northwest Pacific Avenue in Chehalis on Monday, March 31, 2025.

Chehalis City Council accepts grant for Downtown Rejuvenation Project

The Chehalis City Council unanimously approved accepting a state Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) grant award for the first phase of the Downtown Rejuvenation Project during its Monday meeting. … more

By Dylan Reubenking / dylanr@chronline.com | 1/28/26

Centralia Downtown Association (CDA) members, Centralia city officials and Hubbub owner Rebecca Staebler pose for a photo with a new historic marker plaque at the Hubbub storefront in downtown Centralia on Tuesday, Jan. 27. The CDA plans to have at least 20 historic plaques installed around Centralia by May, which is National Historic Preservation Month. For more information about the historic Golden Rule Store and other historic buildings, visit https://downtowncentralia.org/historicwalk.

In Focus: Historical marker celebrated at Hubbub building in downtown Centralia

Centralia Downtown Association (CDA) members, Centralia city officials, Hubbub owner Rebecca Staebler and others gathered to celebrate a new historic marker plaque at the Hubbub storefront in … more

1/28/26

From the left, Possibilities Women’s Center (PWC) trainee Kristi Spradley, Program Manager Deana McKusker, bookkeeper Janice Sathre, Executive Director Melissa Couch, Marketing and Development Director Sarah Brummer and receptionist Gracie Etchey during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Possibilities Women’s Center at the new location in Centralia on Monday, Jan. 26.

In Focus: Possibilities Women’s Center shows off new location in Centralia

Possibilities Women’s Center held a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open hours for the center's new location in Centralia on Monday, Jan. 26. The center is now located at 1219 Mellen St. … more

1/28/26

Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen, testified Tuesday before the House State Government and Tribal Relations Committee on House Bill 2235, his bill to clarify which firearm-related records are exempt from disclosure under Washington's Public Records Act.

Walsh advocates for bill to exempt personal information of gun owners from public records requests

State Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen, pointed out as he testified in a legislative hearing this week he was doing two things he does not generally like to do: advocating for additional public record … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 1/28/26

Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders speaks during public comment at the Tuesday, Jan. 6, Tumwater City Council meeting inside Tumwater City Hall.

Sheriff Derek Sanders speaks on law enforcement bills in the state Legislature

Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders has become well known in the community, even beyond the usual standard of an elected official. Beyond his strong and consistent social media presence while … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 1/28/26

Napavine High and Middle School first term honor roll

Following are members of Napavine Middle School and High School second semester honor rolls. Students are listed in alphabetical order. The lists were provided by the Napavine School District. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/28/26

Nathan Rodriguez, of Nate's 98 Barber Shop, shaves John Quisenbery’s beard during a Homeless Connect event in the Blue Pavilion at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025.

Lewis County to host two Homeless Connect events and annual point-in-time count

Lewis County Public Health and Social Services (LCPHSS) will hold two Homeless Connect events in January focused on connecting individuals and families experiencing homelessness with essential … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/28/26

Lacey Fire District 3 firefighters respond to a duplex fire in the 4800 block of Carpenter Road Southeast on Wednesday, Jan. 28.

Tenant arrested for arson after allegedly setting duplex on fire during eviction

A tenant of a duplex in the Lacey area allegedly set the building on fire while he was being evicted on Wednesday. The tenant, whose name has not been released, will be booked into the … more

By Thurston Chronicle staff | 1/28/26